In jurisdictions across the world, we are gradually seeing the rolling back of the harshest prisons against minors under the age of 18. Not in California, as the Assembly killed SB 399 that would have allowed courts to review the sentences of minors 15 years after the crime.
This was hardly revolutionary or radical. It was a modest measure that would have allowed judges to use a bit of discretion. But as we know, discretion is dead in the California justice system, where everything is on auto-pilot. Newspaper editorial boards from the San Diego U-T to the New York Times editorialized in favor of the measure as simply smart public policy.
But still, several Democrats crossed party lines to help kill the bill. Over the flip, I’ve posted the 34 Democrats that voted in favor of the bill in the previous vote, but the most current tally is not yet available. If your Democratic assembly member isn’t on this list, well, perhaps they care to explain?
California Fails to Join World in Ending Life Sentences for Kids
SB 399 would have given juveniles sentenced to die in prison chance at rehabilitation
SACRAMENTO – Today, the State of California failed to join the rest of the world in ending life sentences for juvenile offenders. On a 34-36 vote, the State Assembly killed Senate Bill 399 – The Fair Sentencing for Youth Act authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco).
While SB 399 would not have prohibited life without parole (LWOP) sentences for juveniles, the bill would have allowed courts to review cases of juveniles sentenced to life without parole after 15 years, potentially allowing some individuals to receive a new sentence of 25 years to life. The bill required the offender to express remorse and be working towards rehabilitation in order to submit a petition for consideration of the new sentence.
No other country in the world outside of the United States allows children to be sentenced to LWOP. In contrast, there are approximately 250 youth in California serving LWOP.
“I am very disappointed that the Assembly failed to pass this bill, but unlike our kids who are sentenced to die in prison, this bill will get a second chance,” said Yee. “I will continue to fight for this bill and try to pass it on reconsideration.”
“The neuroscience is clear – brain maturation continues well through adolescence and thus impulse control, planning, and critical thinking skills are not yet fully developed,” said Yee, who is a child psychologist. “SB 399 reflects that science and provides the opportunity for compassion and rehabilitation that we should exercise with minors. SB 399 is not a get-out-of-jail-free card; it is an incredibly modest proposal that respects victims, international law, and the fact that children have a greater capacity for rehabilitation than adults.”
Prosecutors and judges have discretion on whether to pursue LWOP for juveniles. However, several cases call such discretion into question.
One such case involves Anthony C., who was 16 and had never before been in trouble with the law. Anthony belonged to a “tagging crew” that paints graffiti. One day Anthony and his friend James went down to a wash (a cement-sided stream bed) to graffiti. James revealed to Anthony that he had a gun in his backpack and when another group of kids came down to the wash, James decided to rob them. James pulled out the gun, and the victim told him, “If you don’t kill me, I’ll kill you.” At that point, Anthony thought the bluff had been called, and turned to pick up his bike. James shot the other kid.
The police told Anthony’s parents that he did not need a lawyer. He was interviewed by the police and released, but later re-arrested on robbery and murder charges. Anthony was offered a 16-to-life sentence before trial if he pled, but he refused, believing he was innocent. Anthony was found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Charged with aiding and abetting, he was held responsible for the actions of James.
Another case involves Sara Kruzan, who was raised in Riverside by her mother who was abusive and addicted to drugs. Sarah was very vulnerable, and at age 11, a man began grooming her to become a prostitute. Soon after meeting her, he sexually assaulted her, and at 13 years old she began working as a prostitute for him. At age 16 she killed him, and for this crime was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, despite the California Youth Authority and a psychiatric evaluation determining that she was amendable to rehabilitation.
“Sentencing children to life without parole means they will die in prison,” said Elizabeth Calvin, children’s rights advocate at Human Rights Watch. “We can keep the public safe without locking children up forever for crimes committed when they were still considered too young to have the judgment to vote or drive.”
“Life without parole means absolutely no opportunity for release,” said Yee. “It also means minors are often left without access to programs and rehabilitative services while in prison. This sentence was created for the worst of criminals that have no possibility of reform and it is not a humane way to handle children. While the crimes they committed caused undeniable suffering, these youth offenders are not the worst of the worst.”
A recent report published by Human Rights Watch found that in many cases where juveniles were prosecuted with an adult for the same offense, the youth received heavier sentences than their adult codefendants.
Despite popular belief to the contrary, Human Rights Watch found that life without parole is not reserved for children who commit the worst crimes or who show signs of being irredeemable criminals. Nationally, it is estimated that 59% of youth sentenced to life without parole had no prior criminal convictions. Forty-five percent of California youth sentenced to life without parole for involvement in a murder did not actually kill the victim. Many were convicted of felony murder, or for aiding and abetting the murder, because they acted as lookouts or were participating in another felony, such as a robbery, when the murder took place.
California also has the worst record in the nation for racial disparity in the imposition of life without parole for juveniles. African American youth are serving the sentence at a rate that is eighteen times higher than the rate for white youth, and the rate for Hispanic youth is five times higher.
Since 1990, California has spent between $66 million and $83 million on incarcerating youth offenders sentenced to life without parole. To continue incarcerating the current population of youth offenders already sentenced to life without parole until their deaths in prison will cost the state approximately $500 million. Each new youth offender given this sentence will cost the state upwards of $2.5 million.
In addition to Human Rights Watch, SB 399 is supported by National Center for Youth Law, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, American Psychiatric Association, California Catholic Conference, California Correctional Peace Officers Association, California Mental Health Directors Association, California-Nevada Conference of the United Methodist Church, Children’s Advocacy Institute, Children’s Defense Fund, Disability Rights California, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and Taxpayers for Improving Public Safety, among others.
Last year, SB 399 was approved by the Senate on a bipartisan 23-15 vote. The bill may receive a reconsideration vote in the Assembly before August 31.
What major newspapers say about Senate Bill 399:
LOS ANGELES TIMES: California’s juvenile injustice system – Sentencing criminals under 18 to life without parole is cruel and unusual punishment. SB 399 is painfully modest legislation.
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE: Don’t throw away the key on juvenile offenders – It’s the right thing to do for a society that respects medical science and promotes the value of redemption and rehabilitation.
VENTURA COUNTY STAR: Young lives can be redeemed – Such sentences violate international law and the Convention of the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by every country in the world, except Somalia and the United States.
THE SACRAMENTO BEE: Opening a horizon for juvenile lifers – Yee’s bill makes sense on fiscal as well as humanitarian grounds.
THE NEW YORK TIMES: A Shameful Record – Locking up juveniles for life without parole is unfair and a poor use of criminal justice resources.
THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE: Redemption – If anyone is capable of redemption for the crime of murder, surely it is children. Shouldn’t they deserve at least a shot at it?
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